Earl Grey Tea - Bigelow

A Classic Cup of Earl Grey, Ready in Minutes

Few teas are as instantly recognisable as Earl Grey. That first lift of citrus when the bag hits hot water, the deep amber colour, the round and slightly perfumed finish — it has been a morning ritual for generations, and Bigelow has spent decades getting the balance right. This is a straightforward, dependable bagged black tea built around bright bergamot and a sturdy black-tea base, blended and packed in Canada and sold here at LocoYoko in our tea collection for anyone who wants a reliable daily brew without fuss.

If you are after something bold enough to wake you up, fragrant enough to feel like a treat, and easy enough to make one cup at a time, this is the one. It suits people who drink tea every morning, who keep a box at the office, and who want a name they trust. It is equally at home for newcomers curious about what bergamot actually tastes like and for long-time drinkers who simply want a consistent, full-bodied cup.

What Bergamot Brings to the Cup

The signature of any Earl Grey is bergamot — a small, fragrant citrus grown mostly around the Mediterranean. Its oil is what turns ordinary black tea into something floral, bright, and unmistakable. In this blend, the bergamot reads as fresh and lemony with a soft, almost lavender-like edge, sitting on top of a malty, full-bodied black base. The result is a tea that smells like a garden and drinks like a proper breakfast cup.

Flavour Profile: Bright, Bold, and Aromatic

Brewed at full strength, this is a full-bodied, robust cup with a clear citrus lift. The black-tea foundation gives it backbone — there is real depth and a touch of natural astringency that keeps things from tasting flat or perfumed. Over the top, the bergamot adds brightness, a hint of floral sweetness, and that classic Earl Grey fragrance that fills the room before you even take a sip.

Expect notes of citrus zest, a gentle malt sweetness, and a clean, slightly tannic finish. It is bolder than a delicate afternoon tea and more aromatic than a plain breakfast blend, which is exactly why so many people reach for it first thing. The flavour holds up well to milk and takes a slice of lemon beautifully, so you can steer the cup toward creamy or toward zesty depending on your mood.

How to Brew It Properly

Getting the most out of this blend takes almost no effort, but a few details make a real difference. Use one tea bag per cup, roughly 240 ml (about 8 oz) of water, and follow the timing below.

• Heat your water to 95 °C — just off a rolling boil. Black tea wants near-boiling water to fully extract its flavour, so this is one of the few teas where very hot water is exactly right.
• Place the bag in your cup or pot and pour the hot water directly over it.
• Steep for 4 to 5 minutes. Four minutes gives a brighter, more aromatic cup; five minutes pulls out more body and a touch more strength.
• Lift the bag out gently without squeezing too hard — over-pressing can release extra tannins and make the cup taste bitter.

If you like a stronger brew, do not over-steep past five minutes — instead, use two bags or a little less water. Long steeping mostly adds astringency rather than flavour, so more time is not the same as more taste.

One Bag, One Cup

Bagged tea makes single-serve brewing effortless, which is part of the appeal here. One bag is portioned for roughly one mug, so there is no weighing, no scooping, and no infuser to rinse. For a pot, use one bag per cup of water you intend to pour and remove them all at the four-to-five-minute mark.

Milk, Lemon, and Easy Variations

This is one of the most adaptable black teas you can keep in the cupboard. A splash of milk or a dash of cream softens the citrus and rounds out the body, turning it into a comforting, almost dessert-like cup — this is the traditional British way to take Earl Grey. If you prefer it bright and refreshing instead, add a thin slice of lemon and skip the dairy; the citrus echoes the bergamot and lightens the whole cup.

A small spoon of honey or sugar plays nicely either way, lifting the floral notes without burying them. A few ideas worth trying:

• London Fog: brew strong, add steamed or frothed milk and a little vanilla syrup for a cosy latte-style drink, much like our Vanilla Chai.
• Iced Earl Grey: brew double-strength, let it cool, and pour over ice with a squeeze of lemon for a hot-weather refresher.
• Honey and orange: a teaspoon of honey plus a strip of orange peel leans into the citrus character beautifully.

However you take it, the bergamot stays present, so the cup always tastes like Earl Grey rather than just generic black tea.

When to Drink It and What to Eat With It

This blend is built for mornings. Its body and caffeine make it a natural alternative to coffee, or try our Spiced Chai, and the bright aroma is genuinely uplifting at the start of the day. That said, it works well any time you want a hot, flavourful cup — mid-afternoon with a snack, or as a lighter option after dinner if caffeine does not keep you up.

For food, lean into the citrus and the body. It pairs especially well with:

• Buttery pastries, scones, and shortbread, where the tea cuts through richness.
• Lemon loaf, pound cake, or anything with a citrus glaze that mirrors the bergamot.
• Toast with marmalade or jam at breakfast.
• Dark chocolate or chocolate biscuits; pair with Salted Caramel for dessert-forward moments.

Because it stands up to milk so well, it is also a solid match for a full breakfast plate — eggs, bacon, and the like — where a more delicate tea would get lost.

Caffeine and Ingredients

This is a caffeinated black tea, so plan accordingly if you are sensitive to it or brewing late in the evening. As a black tea, it sits in the moderate range — noticeably more than most green or white teas but generally less than a cup of brewed coffee — which is exactly what makes it such a popular morning pick.

The blend is simple at its core: real black tea leaves flavoured with bergamot to create the classic Earl Grey profile. There are no fruit pieces or herbal botanicals competing for attention — just tea and citrus, the way this style was meant to be. If you want to enjoy it later in the day without the caffeine kick, steeping for the shorter end of the range will give you a slightly lighter cup, though it will still contain caffeine.

How to Store It So It Stays Fresh

Tea is sensitive to air, moisture, light, and strong odours, and bergamot-flavoured blends in particular can fade if left exposed. To keep every cup tasting as bright as the first:

• Keep the bags in a sealed, airtight container or their original box folded tightly closed.
• Store in a cool, dark cupboard away from the stove, kettle, and any heat source.
• Keep it away from spices, coffee, and anything strongly scented — tea readily absorbs surrounding aromas.
• Avoid the fridge or freezer; condensation is the enemy of dry tea and can dull the flavour.

Stored well, the blend will hold its aroma for a long time, but like all flavoured teas it is best enjoyed within a reasonable window rather than left at the back of the shelf for years.

Why Buy Your Earl Grey from LocoYoko

LocoYoko is a Canadian coffee roaster and tea shop, and we stock this blend for one simple reason: it is a dependable, crowd-pleasing cup that earns its place in the cupboard. Buying from us means fast Canadian shipping from fresh, well-kept stock — no long waits at the border and no boxes that have been sitting in a warehouse for ages.

We also keep the experience easy and low-risk. You get free shipping on orders over $50, so it is simple to stock up alongside our coffee selection, and every order is backed by our 30-day happiness guarantee — if you are not satisfied, we will make it right. For Canadians who want a trusted name, fair pricing, and a shop that genuinely knows its coffee and tea, this is an easy box to add to the cart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this Earl Grey contain caffeine?

Yes. It is a black tea and contains caffeine, sitting in the moderate range typical of black teas. It makes an excellent morning cup, but if you are caffeine-sensitive you may want to enjoy it earlier in the day.

What temperature and time should I use to brew it?

Use water at 95 °C — just off the boil — and steep for 4 to 5 minutes. Four minutes gives a brighter cup, five gives more body. One bag is right for about 240 ml of water.

Can I add milk to Earl Grey?

Absolutely. Milk or a splash of cream is a classic way to take it and softens the citrus into a rounder, cosier cup. If you prefer it bright instead, try a slice of lemon with no dairy.

What does bergamot actually taste like?

Bergamot is a fragrant citrus that gives Earl Grey its signature flavour — bright, lemony, and gently floral. Layered over a malty black-tea base, it creates the perfumed, citrus-forward character this style is known for.

Where is this tea from?

The blend is made by Bigelow and is blended and packed in Canada. LocoYoko is your Canadian retailer, shipping fresh stock across the country.

How should I store the tea bags?

Keep them sealed in an airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard, away from heat, moisture, and strong-smelling foods. Avoid the fridge or freezer, since condensation can dull the flavour and aroma.